============================================================== Guild: Write Club Channel: Archives-2026-August / 08-27-26-the-faraday-room ============================================================== [8/23/2026 9:46 AM] starcryst https://www.thefaradayroom.com/p/short-storyflash-fiction-what-friends {Embed} https://www.thefaradayroom.com/p/short-storyflash-fiction-what-friends Short Story/Flash Fiction: What Friends Are For Kids grow up so fast these days! https://images-ext-1.discordapp.net/external/bRpreKSm2qW5JpMTxWMfjXbmHf_p1PVPShk0CRg5WSY/https/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/%24s_%21Ukjz%21%2Cw_1200%2Ch_675%2Cc_fill%2Cf_jpg%2Cq_auto%3Agood%2Cfl_progressive%3Asteep%2Cg_auto/https%253A%252F%252Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%252Fpublic%252Fimages%252Fcdd6515e-5bf1-4515-9672-36c203c9aece_6720x4480.jpeg {Reactions} 🔥 [8/23/2026 11:04 AM] starcryst @Hammond here [8/27/2026 6:12 PM] starcryst @everyone Join us tonight at 7pm EST for Write Club! If you want to help promote the story, you know what to do - click and restack below. Thank you! https://substack.com/profile/408299644-david-t-etheredge/note/c-324111317 {Embed} https://substack.com/profile/408299644-david-t-etheredge/note/c-324111317 David T Etheredge (@davidtetheredge) Tonight at Write Club we have @The Faraday Room’s story What are Friends For. Read the story and then join us at 7pm EST at http://WriteClub.Chat to discuss and provide feedback to the author. It’s fun. :) https://www.thefaradayroom.com/p/short-storyflash-fiction-what-friends https://images-ext-1.discordapp.net/external/XT_lpIwOO8HJhEvOWYqD7EJ411vxm6uNyjZCCkJQ_4o/https/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/%24s_%21Oz7s%21%2Cf_auto%2Cq_auto%3Agood%2Cfl_progressive%3Asteep/https%253A%252F%252Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%252Fpublic%252Fimages%252F290d74fe-1b22-47e0-b09d-305f40c7fd72_1672x941.png {Reactions} ❤️ (4) [8/27/2026 6:22 PM] thegalacticwriter Hi Hammond! I can’t make it tonight but I listened to your story and enjoyed it! The dialogue flowed and made me think of high school and the importance of peer support—how we look and who’s interested in us, especially when we feel abandoned by a parent. I felt like one of the girls. Immersive! Well done. Wondering what prompted you to write it? Cheers! Have a great time tonight! 🫶 {Reactions} ❤️ (4) [8/27/2026 6:50 PM] vesperlrayne_04128 https://klipy.com/gifs/dog-husky-20 {Embed} https://klipy.com/gifs/dog-husky-20 Husky Says Hi Through Dog Door https://images-ext-1.discordapp.net/external/Q38nrRoaqQKqgJ66q4ehTNTefIqXC3NH_FceLn7XBSw/https/static.klipy.com/ii/a15b48460c436e1e92c85ffc680932cc/a3/b2/yzZ51K16.webp {Reactions} ❤️ (4) [8/27/2026 6:51 PM] erisindex https://klipy.com/gifs/hi-kelly {Embed} https://klipy.com/gifs/hi-kelly Hi Kelly Kapowski https://images-ext-1.discordapp.net/external/Y2PtOIW95_YpmmYitbK6Wn8WJwwVBJO0BC0QSSQvwL0/https/static.klipy.com/ii/e293a233a303a98e471f78d04e13a1b0/6b/3c/a6T48w8B.webp {Reactions} ❤️ (5) [8/27/2026 6:53 PM] hammondjohns Hi all! {Reactions} ❤️ (5) 🙌 (2) [8/27/2026 6:55 PM] hermajestyofinkandexits_50376 https://klipy.com/gifs/hello-robin-williams {Embed} https://klipy.com/gifs/hello-robin-williams Hello Robin Williams: Woman with Face Mask https://images-ext-1.discordapp.net/external/qpB1E4tj-4hYIpRTU1qBmWjhedxig_Z1ifIe15WaqZw/https/static.klipy.com/ii/39f2394ae36df6e199be9eb7c9fa1012/88/d8/LxbObBSd.webp {Reactions} 🤣 (3) ❤️ [8/27/2026 6:57 PM] lauriemacnorcal_28850 Here you all are! {Reactions} ❤️ (2) 👍 [8/27/2026 6:57 PM] starcryst https://klipy.com/gifs/scott-pilgrim-vs-the-world-micheal-cera-2 {Embed} https://klipy.com/gifs/scott-pilgrim-vs-the-world-micheal-cera-2 Micheal Cera as Scott Pilgrim Waving https://images-ext-1.discordapp.net/external/rEgsDFt8sVJYoGSEfOWQDfrfCxMDTByiS4LLYyFCoig/https/static.klipy.com/ii/ce286d05b8e1a47cd4f32b0e1b6dec0e/45/61/n6vG1IZ1.webp {Reactions} ❤️ (2) 👍 [8/27/2026 6:58 PM] somedesertrat https://klipy.com/gifs/akiba-maid-senso-otagei {Embed} https://klipy.com/gifs/akiba-maid-senso-otagei Akiba Maid Senso Otagei https://images-ext-1.discordapp.net/external/CTz6JLPaOOYlE6uUgcjZ943ZqOtX7LJ6vaJtCksCOzQ/https/static.klipy.com/ii/a8ada81afc59159ea5c8927feffa2e31/f3/dc/3FCsT5Zm2ooNP9AI.webp {Reactions} ❤️ (4) [8/27/2026 6:58 PM] vesperlrayne_04128 I absolutely love this gif, reminds me of Cells at Work- the macrophages [8/27/2026 6:58 PM] markdp https://klipy.com/gifs/whats-up-doc-4 {Embed} https://klipy.com/gifs/whats-up-doc-4 Bugs Bunny: What's Up Doc? https://images-ext-1.discordapp.net/external/EdZH2eIi2eSaHGGggmeA8nDZbu6cfpnSFqrez6mFx7s/https/static.klipy.com/ii/c3a19a0b747a76e98651f2b9a3cca5ff/a3/e8/N0xm6eu7.webp {Reactions} ❤️ (2) [8/27/2026 6:58 PM] starcryst https://klipy.com/gifs/mha-20 {Embed} https://klipy.com/gifs/mha-20 MHA: Present Mic & Aizawa's Studio Moment https://images-ext-1.discordapp.net/external/aEmFDxKJK02_Tt2X2pdnwjCk8zv1W-p7EdCLuz5e3Vc/https/static.klipy.com/ii/84b4c0b02782dda9051003f9e36484ec/98/69/ZvTY97vx.webp {Reactions} ❤️ [8/27/2026 6:59 PM] starcryst Hello everyone - it's time for WRITE CLUB! [8/27/2026 6:59 PM] starcryst If you are new tonight - WELCOME! Here is something for you to read: {Attachments} https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/1536890891879452732/1542669965910605935/Write_Club_Chat_Format.png?ex=6ab8f71d&is=6ab7a59d&hm=f18328248bcd65d9d5be9930d23133e8be91bab70608a0147844cd62a8b3bc48& [8/27/2026 6:59 PM] meganmarrow_40655 👋 {Reactions} ❤️ [8/27/2026 7:00 PM] somedesertrat 👋 [8/27/2026 7:00 PM] snowpuppie 👋 [8/27/2026 7:00 PM] starcryst @Hammond what level of Critique do you want tonight? Free subscriber or PREMIUM TIER! [8/27/2026 7:00 PM] lauriemacnorcal_28850 👋 [8/27/2026 7:00 PM] re1nger 👋 [8/27/2026 7:00 PM] erisindex I just got home, but I have my notes and need to get my other laptop out. [8/27/2026 7:00 PM] markdp 👋 [8/27/2026 7:00 PM] rubygs 👋 [8/27/2026 7:00 PM] hammondjohns Premium tier all the way. Speak your truths! {Reactions} ❤️ (3) [8/27/2026 7:00 PM] starcryst https://klipy.com/gifs/sansanch-sansanch37-1 {Embed} https://klipy.com/gifs/sansanch-sansanch37-1 Sansanch37: The Number 37 https://images-ext-1.discordapp.net/external/DZhAc-eV2SbPDu6B_pR-OfFlC7FD_PFj5WSM7cbDnf0/https/static.klipy.com/ii/d6b0ce929193df3c242ac34b5654d2ce/30/42/FqW4JJao.webp {Reactions} 🐐 [8/27/2026 7:00 PM] vesperlrayne_04128 👋 [8/27/2026 7:01 PM] somedesertrat dammit. Broke my record. {Reactions} 🤣 (3) 😂 [8/27/2026 7:01 PM] lauriemacnorcal_28850 lol [8/27/2026 7:01 PM] lammbbb ✋ [8/27/2026 7:01 PM] erisindex https://klipy.com/gifs/jake-is {Embed} https://klipy.com/gifs/jake-is Jake's Waving Hand Emoji https://images-ext-1.discordapp.net/external/TfR2A3a_bzinOcp6z_KM3MOyoF63KXa7scYtD8Pd5ts/https/static.klipy.com/ii/925f17378dd1893b674a723c07535afe/f0/74/dX94XeZW.webp {Reactions} ❤️ [8/27/2026 7:01 PM] starcryst Wonderful -- okay when you are ready to share your truth, raise a yellow rubber dishwashing glove in the air like all the other ~~cultist~~ readers are doing! {Reactions} 🤣 ❤️ 💯 [8/27/2026 7:02 PM] starcryst And when you are finished with your bit, remember to say DONE! [8/27/2026 7:02 PM] lauriemacnorcal_28850 show off {Reactions} 🤣 (2) [8/27/2026 7:02 PM] starcryst @MEGAN MARROW GO! [8/27/2026 7:02 PM] meganmarrow_40655 I enjoyed this piece. It was short, but had a lot to say about our social world and Substack {Reactions} 💯 [8/27/2026 7:02 PM] erisindex I'm last in line. Had to make it count. {Reactions} 🤣 (2) [8/27/2026 7:03 PM] meganmarrow_40655 It reminded me a bit of the Black Mirror episode “Nosedive” where everyone rates everyone else when they interact all day and the ones with high 4 rates are the elite. And your social standing completely depends on your rating. {Reactions} 👍 (9) 💯 (4) 🖤 (5) [8/27/2026 7:03 PM] meganmarrow_40655 The way the girl is immediately calculating what it would mean to be left off the list [8/27/2026 7:03 PM] meganmarrow_40655 Fav line(s): Alicia scrolled, squinting intently. Then, suddenly, “Wait! She’s got a paid sub?” The girls looked at each other blankly for a few seconds. Then, half-shouting, “Her mom!” They collapsed into gales of laughter, Alicia’s face in her hands, Charlotte nearly doubled over. {Reactions} 🤣 (6) 👍 (4) ❤️ (3) 💯 (4) [8/27/2026 7:03 PM] meganmarrow_40655 Nailed the mean girl vibe here. Sadly, very believable. {Reactions} 👍 (5) 👆 (2) [8/27/2026 7:04 PM] meganmarrow_40655 Critique: It was a little hard to gauge the era/time with the teenage slang. Some was early millennial some more present day. I think it would be so interesting to play with language and create some really interesting slang for this new, slightly terrifying era {Reactions} 👍 (3) 👆 [8/27/2026 7:05 PM] meganmarrow_40655 Done [8/27/2026 7:05 PM] starcryst @Carl Price GO! [8/27/2026 7:05 PM] somedesertrat Though this likely wasn't the intent, I actually found this more on the creepy side that would fit well in a dystopian setting. {Reactions} 💯 (3) 👆 (2) this [8/27/2026 7:05 PM] somedesertrat The more that I read it (because I cheat and do multiple passes), the more I was able to pick up on tiny subtleties that lay the groundwork for a world where friendship is now essentially a subscription-based platform. {Reactions} 👍 (4) 💯 (3) 👆 (3) Fire2 (3) [8/27/2026 7:05 PM] somedesertrat Even though Alicia and Charlotte overall sound the same (because honestly, to me, all teenager girls sound the same), there's enough distinction between how their dialogue is written that I could tell who was speaking without relying on tags. {Reactions} ❤️ (3) [8/27/2026 7:05 PM] hammondjohns Thanks Megan! You probably won't be the only one to mention the slang & how it's hard to place time-wise. I'll say more about that later. {Reactions} 👍 [8/27/2026 7:05 PM] somedesertrat fave line: Alicia scrolled, squinting intently. Then, suddenly, “Wait! She’s got a paid sub?” The girls looked at each other blankly for a few seconds. Then, half-shouting, “Her mom!” They collapsed into gales of laughter, Alicia’s face in her hands, Charlotte nearly doubled over. {Reactions} 👍 (4) [8/27/2026 7:06 PM] somedesertrat Constructive Criticism: I think this is more a critique on the constraints of flash fiction, but I would really have liked more sensory engagement. Things were drifting into a bit of the talking head zone for me. {Reactions} ❤️ [8/27/2026 7:06 PM] somedesertrat Question: Is this particular piece set in a universe you're working on or was it something just spur of the moment? {Reactions} ❤️ (4) 👍 [8/27/2026 7:06 PM] somedesertrat DONER [8/27/2026 7:06 PM] starcryst @Lisa N Snowe GO! [8/27/2026 7:06 PM] snowpuppie Firstly, I think this is a really artful, short satire. You packed quite a bit into it, and asked some pretty probing questions. Awesome job! {Reactions} ❤️ (3) [8/27/2026 7:07 PM] snowpuppie Favorite lines: “I’m telling you, girl, you should totally launch a paid tier.” << Wait, what? This started reforming my understanding of the story and made me stop and say, "Okay, this is not what I thought it was." I started reading more closely. {Reactions} 👍 (2) ☝️ 💯 [8/27/2026 7:07 PM] hammondjohns Thanks Carl. My stuff tends to be on the sparse side description-wise, so that's good feedback. [8/27/2026 7:07 PM] snowpuppie “Tell me about it. Alicia pushed the green beans around her tray. “It’s totally killing me. I keep telling him to apply for the hardship plan, but he won’t.” << Oh my lord, this is dark. His mom is sick, he's got financial issues, and she translates that into the loss of a paid sub. I won't lie and say I haven't wondered myself if relationships with other people would ever come to this point. There are people out there who treat them as transactional already. I mean, people already thrub for subs here, on this platform, don't they? (yes, I just Lisafied a new verb). 😛 {Reactions} ❤️ (4) 👍 [8/27/2026 7:07 PM] hammondjohns Spur of moment, but all my stuff is roughly in this vein [8/27/2026 7:07 PM] snowpuppie “This one’s totally on the house. In fact, I’m gonna comp you for the rest of this week.” << There's the full satire, in all its naked glory. Well done. {Reactions} ❤️ (5) 🔥 (2) [8/27/2026 7:08 PM] snowpuppie Favorite scene: The opening sequence with the necklace. Besides being fabulous character development for both girls, it really sets up the entire premise that affection often demands a price, and paid transactions are now a part of maintaining a true connection. Dark, but so evocative, and a great foreshadow of the rest of the piece. {Reactions} ❤️ (4) 👆 (2) [8/27/2026 7:08 PM] snowpuppie Critique: Not too many. There were a few instances of "slang" that felt unnecessary (a lot of "babe"s, I recall), and more for show than function, but overall, it worked really well. {Reactions} 👍 (2) 👆 (2) [8/27/2026 7:08 PM] snowpuppie Question: Do you have teenage kids? XD {Reactions} 😂 (2) [8/27/2026 7:08 PM] snowpuppie DONE! [8/27/2026 7:09 PM] starcryst @lauriemacNorCal GO!! [8/27/2026 7:09 PM] lauriemacnorcal_28850 Favorite line: “I’m telling you, girl, you should totally launch a paid tier. He’d sign up in a second.” This is when I realized something was off here {Reactions} 👍 (3) ❤️ 🔥 [8/27/2026 7:09 PM] lauriemacnorcal_28850 Favorite moment: “Tell me about it.” Alicia pushed the green beans around her tray. “It’s totally killing me. I keep telling him to apply for the hardship plan, but he won’t.” “Sure, he’s too proud,” Charlotte said. Then, quieter. “His mom’s really sick, you know.” Alicia was checking her phone. “Yeah, I know.” We get to see Alicia’s true colors {Reactions} 👍 (3) ❤️ (3) 🔥 [8/27/2026 7:09 PM] lauriemacnorcal_28850 Criticism: The dialogue didn’t ring true for me, I’m afraid. [8/27/2026 7:10 PM] hammondjohns I do have kids (boys) but they're not teenagers any longer. My lack of familiarity with how teens (especially girls) talk nowadays is definitely showing in this piece, but I'm trying to spin that into a virtue in my own mind, lol. {Reactions} ❤️ (4) 🤣 (2) [8/27/2026 7:10 PM] lauriemacnorcal_28850 General feedback: Loooooove the Black Mirror vibe. {Reactions} ❤️ (4) [8/27/2026 7:10 PM] lauriemacnorcal_28850 Question: What inspired this? [8/27/2026 7:10 PM] lauriemacnorcal_28850 DONE [8/27/2026 7:11 PM] hammondjohns Inspiration: well, I nearly titled it "Substack Jr High" {Reactions} 😂 (4) ❤️ [8/27/2026 7:11 PM] starcryst @re1nger GO! [8/27/2026 7:11 PM] re1nger General feedback: Short and yet dark, very-very dark What makes it more unsettling is how casually launching paid tiers is associated with getting each other better and bonding. And then this line "River lapsed" I mean, how bad it should get in the future so people start launching these tiers selling their time of being human in exchange of money Also, the fact that it takes place in not so distant future I mean, even today there's so much that goes behind paywall and I wouldn't be surprised if friendship and relationships will take the same route (I hope not) {Reactions} ❤️ (7) 🔥 (4) 💯 (4) [8/27/2026 7:11 PM] re1nger Crit: since it was a short piece, It was a bit hard to follow the exact way the system works. Like clearly there are free tiers, paid and "hardship" tiers. Knowing a bit more mechanics would help me picture the scene better {Reactions} 🔥 (3) 👍 (5) [8/27/2026 7:11 PM] somedesertrat https://tenor.com/view/spit-take-drink-laugh-funny-thats-gif-11859512 {Embed} https://tenor.com/view/spit-take-drink-laugh-funny-thats-gif-11859512 Spit Take Drink GIF - Spit Take Drink Laugh - Discover & Share GIFs https://images-ext-1.discordapp.net/external/RwFJp5tZyXbHCZAsyGmvQZPc1x2a2EKXZYECCbnFf_k/https/media1.tenor.com/m/kYBbjTE953sAAAAC/spit-take-drink.gif [8/27/2026 7:11 PM] re1nger DONE [8/27/2026 7:11 PM] starcryst @MarkDP GO! [8/27/2026 7:12 PM] markdp I like the premise — the extrapolation of what kids are growing up with today online becomes regular IRL. Hope that’s not too much of a spoiler. Don’t think it would make a bad novel if you wanted to expand on it. You got a good handle on the dialogue and the fact that no one is self-conscious about subscriptions is perfect. (As opposed to, say, getting your friends to buy your books?) Unfortunately, I can’t turn off Editor Brain.™ Generally, story = inciting incident + progressive complications —> crisis —> climax —> resolution that changes the protagonist by the end. Don’t really see that here. Though really, with what you’ve got in What Friends Are For would only take a bit of rearranging to get it there. Question: Have you thought of expanding it into a longer piece? DONE {Reactions} this (2) 💯 (4) ❤️ 🔥 (2) [8/27/2026 7:12 PM] starcryst @steffie GO! [8/27/2026 7:13 PM] rubygs Favorite Line: “I’m telling you, girl, you should totally launch a paid tier. He’d sign up in a second.”- This is when I really got interested. The teens aren’t just regular teens here… Very well done. Good worldbuilding. Critique: None, the piece was short and sweet, the dialogue flowed naturally to me, the characters had voice and the subscription tier piece fit in wonderfully. Cool story! {Reactions} ❤️ (2) 🔥 (2) [8/27/2026 7:13 PM] rubygs Done [8/27/2026 7:13 PM] starcryst Worthy of a longer story. This could absolutely be a Netflix series. {Reactions} 🔥 💯 ❤️ (4) 👆 [8/27/2026 7:13 PM] starcryst @VesperLRayne GO! [8/27/2026 7:14 PM] hammondjohns Expanding into longer piece: Not really. Most of my other pieces run 4,000-5,000 words but this felt like more of a "get in, make your point, get out" kind of story. But thanks for the vote of confidence. {Reactions} ❤️ (2) [8/27/2026 7:14 PM] vesperlrayne_04128 so, I think alot of what I was going to say has been said.. really good short piece, i especially liked the foreshadowing of the choker the dad sent- setting up the transactional foundation of love {Reactions} ❤️ (3) 💯 (2) 👍 [8/27/2026 7:14 PM] hammondjohns Expanding: I mean I didn't really think about it, not that it's a bad idea. {Reactions} ❤️ (2) [8/27/2026 7:15 PM] vesperlrayne_04128 I have teenage girls- and I giggled at the convo they had bc I though.. oh.. no.... but it did not detract from the story really. {Reactions} ❤️ (3) [8/27/2026 7:15 PM] fictionshroom 👋 [8/27/2026 7:15 PM] vesperlrayne_04128 Overall it hooked me in, and the WRONGESS of it really kept going. The sad realization of things- the paid tiers, the "i'll comp you" gave me chills. {Reactions} 👍 (2) 💯 this [8/27/2026 7:16 PM] vesperlrayne_04128 I let my daughter read it and she was like.. ewww that's awful.. but admitted that it was scary to think about {Reactions} ❤️ (2) 💯 👍 [8/27/2026 7:16 PM] vesperlrayne_04128 and overall really well done. DONE {Reactions} 👏 (2) [8/27/2026 7:16 PM] starcryst @Lunetois GO! [8/27/2026 7:16 PM] lammbbb Good evening. {Reactions} 👋 [8/27/2026 7:16 PM] hammondjohns Dialogue: It all came pretty fast to me, and on reflection the slang is a mix of Mean Girls, Wayne's World and a bunch of other quite dated stuff. {Reactions} ❤️ (2) [8/27/2026 7:16 PM] lammbbb Coming in pretty late tonight, so this may be repetitive by now, but here it is: [8/27/2026 7:16 PM] lammbbb > "It’s totally killing me. I keep telling him to apply for the hardship plan, but he won’t.” This was my favorite line. I'm on the hardship plan for a lot of my friendscriptions right now, and I'm happy to know it still exists in this universe. {Reactions} 🔥 (3) ❤️ (3) 👍 (3) 🙌 [8/27/2026 7:17 PM] lammbbb This is a pretty good scathing indictment of the wonderful new parasocial business model that we are all a part of here on Substack-- that too you can find on many other sites like Patreon and Gumroad and OnlyFans and SubscribeStar and Twitch and Fansly and CandFans and Pixiv Fanbox and Fantia and Afdian and Boosty. It well-criticizes the way a lot of people pretend to have a more personal relationship with their financial supporters. For people like me just starting out, there's so few (one) that it's very easy to have that kind of relationship-- except by putting that little parenthetical 'one' there I've just snubbed the three gorgeous and generous people on this server who actually bought a physical copy of my book. Imagine how quickly that can blow up when your supporters number in the thousands! But this also puts a lot more control in creator's hands and so I can't help but think it's still better than the curated record-company style relationship fans had with artists before. {Reactions} 👍 (2) 🔥 (5) ❤️ (5) 👆🏼 [8/27/2026 7:17 PM] lammbbb Nonetheless, this does seem to highlight the problems with this system; which is that at some point it does come off as rather mercenary. If I had to provide negative criticism; I'd say that maybe it's a bit too on-the-nose, and I could stand it to have a few more punchlines. But that's really a very small critique because it's a very short story. A longer version (the full twenty minute episode of Black Mirror) would suffer more from this and as things are it's pretty snappy and nice. {Reactions} 🔥 (2) 👍 (3) ❤️ [8/27/2026 7:17 PM] lammbbb I've got no questions tonight, so this is it. Thanks for sharing! {Reactions} ❤️ (2) [8/27/2026 7:17 PM] starcryst @Eris Index GO! [8/27/2026 7:17 PM] lammbbb Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go and brush David's hair {Reactions} 🔥 (3) 😏 (4) 🤣 (5) 🫦 (3) ❤️ (2) 😂 (3) 🙀 (2) 🪮 [8/27/2026 7:17 PM] erisindex oh [8/27/2026 7:18 PM] erisindex Write Club: Fav lines: “River lapsed.” {Reactions} ❤️ (3) [8/27/2026 7:18 PM] erisindex Brutally efficient. A story about the monetization of human connection… the tiny sentence does the work. [8/27/2026 7:18 PM] erisindex “So she upgraded?” [8/27/2026 7:18 PM] erisindex This is where the friendship hierarchy becomes crystal clear without any exposition. {Reactions} ❤️ (4) 👍 (2) [8/27/2026 7:18 PM] erisindex “This one’s totally on the house. In fact, I’m gonna comp you for the rest of the week.” Funny, awful, and fucking terrible, lol. {Reactions} 💯 (4) this (2) ☝️ (2) [8/27/2026 7:19 PM] erisindex Fav scene: The ending. Absolutely. Alicia offering to comp her for her hair brushing is where the entire thing went pretty dark, pretty quick. I’m typing on my laptop while riding in a car, and this thing is sliding all over my lap, so forgive any typos, lol. Up until the hair brushing, paid tiers could almost be social media slang. This is the part where I really understood affection was transactional. Da fuk. {Reactions} ❤️ (4) 👍 [8/27/2026 7:19 PM] erisindex Light crit: I wanted some more information, just a small amount about what these paid tiers grant. The info is non-existent in this, and it doesn’t hurt it without it, but it could be better with a few more details. {Reactions} 👍 [8/27/2026 7:19 PM] starcryst We really need a "Da fuk" Emoji {Reactions} 🤣 (4) ❤️ (3) 👆 (4) [8/27/2026 7:19 PM] erisindex Overall I loved this, it was short but for the length… it does a whole hell of a lot. I love the premise of this, and I would definitely read more if it was available to read. I’m interested in some insider info about it too. [8/27/2026 7:19 PM] erisindex Question: Are they really best friends under this payment system? Can you please offer some details about your payment system and give us an example of a tier, what comes in it, and how much it costs? {Reactions} ❤️ (2) 👍 [8/27/2026 7:20 PM] erisindex Done. [8/27/2026 7:20 PM] starcryst @✨🍄Fiction Shroom🍄✨ GO! [8/27/2026 7:20 PM] fictionshroom Aaaaaah. [8/27/2026 7:20 PM] fictionshroom I didn't get to making notes this time and I have a 4yo crawling on me. Also looks like everyone said what I wanted to lol BUT {Reactions} ❤️ (4) [8/27/2026 7:21 PM] fictionshroom I thought it was really creepy and cool. I had to reread it because my mush brain didn't get what happened at first {Reactions} BlobCatHeart (3) [8/27/2026 7:21 PM] fictionshroom Then I read it over and was like OH. Oh no. That's terrible! {Reactions} ❤️ (4) 👆 (2) [8/27/2026 7:22 PM] fictionshroom Already mentioned that it was very Black Mirror social credit thing, but the transactional affection and "comping" the friend for some hang out time. Ooof. {Reactions} 💯 (2) [8/27/2026 7:22 PM] fictionshroom Done [8/27/2026 7:22 PM] starcryst Okay if you haven't gone and would like to, get your hand in the air while I go! [8/27/2026 7:22 PM] .revanarchy 👋 [8/27/2026 7:22 PM] starcryst Favorite line(s): “Don’t look now, but Bobby Hunter’s checking you out again. Over at the vending machines.” Charlotte flushed. “Oh, stop! He is not!” “He’s been staring at you for five minutes.” She took another bite. “I’m telling you, girl, you should totally launch a paid tier. He’d sign up in a second.” <<< Paid tier of WHAT??? Nice hook! {Reactions} 💯 (5) ❤️ (2) 🔥 [8/27/2026 7:22 PM] starcryst She’s got a paid sub?” The girls looked at each other blankly for a few seconds. Then, half-shouting, “Her mom!” <<< EXCUSE ME. This ISN'T funny. My mom is a VERY nice person with excellent taste in literature. {Reactions} 🤣 (4) facepalm (3) 😂 (2) [8/27/2026 7:22 PM] starcryst “Biology lab this afternoon. Wanna be partners again?” Alicia scrunched her face. “Sorry, babe. I promised Rosa.” Charlotte stood quietly for a moment. “So she upgraded?” Her voice was strained. “Yeah. So strange. I mean…who knew she was good for that kind of cash?” <<< WAIT -- is this...ONLY FRIENDS??? That's awesome! {Reactions} ❤️ (3) facepalm (2) 🤣 😭 [8/27/2026 7:22 PM] hammondjohns More on the inspiration: Nearly everything I write is based on a trend I observe, and then extrapolate into "what if it keeps going like this?" or a "what if?" scenario {Reactions} ❤️ (3) [8/27/2026 7:23 PM] fictionshroom SAME. she'd be a paid sub if she could. 😔 [8/27/2026 7:23 PM] starcryst Best sequence: Charlotte took back her phone, still wiping her eyes. “So how’s River doing?” Alicia stiffened. “River lapsed.” Charlotte’s hand went straight to her mouth. “River! No! He’s been into you since seventh grade.” “Tell me about it.” Alicia pushed the green beans around her tray. “It’s totally killing me. I keep telling him to apply for the hardship plan, but he won’t.” “Sure, he’s too proud,” Charlotte said. Then, quieter. “His mom’s really sick, you know.” Alicia was checking her phone. “Yeah, I know.” <<< this seriously killed me. The fact that they know that River is hurting and could use friends now more than ever, but the "hardship plan" is the maximum empathy they are capable of and it seems they are not even aware there might be an alternative (just being friends because...). Dark...very dark. {Reactions} 💯 (5) ❤️ (4) 👆 this [8/27/2026 7:24 PM] starcryst Criticism: None - fantastic piece of Flash Fic! 10/10 - also can we be friends? Do I get a discount coupon for giving you a high rating? {Reactions} 😂 (5) 🤣 (4) catweirdsmile [8/27/2026 7:24 PM] starcryst DONE [8/27/2026 7:24 PM] starcryst @Joshua Bader GO! [8/27/2026 7:24 PM] hammondjohns It really came from realising that the social media strategy now is basically "Make people think they're your friends, and then monetise them". {Reactions} ❤️ (3) 🔥 (2) 🤣 (2) [8/27/2026 7:24 PM] fictionshroom Same feels as being told "I'm not a therapist" when you just need someone to talk. {Reactions} ❤️ (3) 💯 (2) this (2) [8/27/2026 7:24 PM] .revanarchy Dangers of going last. I think everything has been said. {Reactions} 💯 ❤️ (2) [8/27/2026 7:24 PM] .revanarchy Fav Line: “It’s totally killing me. I keep telling him to apply for the hardship plan, but he won’t.” Fav Scene: The post-lab rejection leading to comping her for the week. Definitely confirms the world you've been building towards. Criticism: So what exactly is a paid tier for Bobby? Because she definitely seems later on to have paid tiers already in place for friends. It read fine at the time, but now that I'm done with the story it kind of nags at me. She definitely seems to have a paid tier for Charlotte at the end. Question/Statement: I would love to rope you into the John Henry Society someday. Let me know if you want in. {Reactions} ❤️ (3) 🔥 (2) 💯 (5) 👍 (3) [8/27/2026 7:25 PM] .revanarchy Done [8/27/2026 7:25 PM] starcryst Okay anyone else want to take a go! [8/27/2026 7:25 PM] starcryst We don't bite! [8/27/2026 7:26 PM] markdp Mostly. {Reactions} ❤️ (3) 🤣 (2) 💯 [8/27/2026 7:26 PM] vesperlrayne_04128 👀 {Reactions} 🤣 (2) [8/27/2026 7:26 PM] starcryst Looks like Alexis might be sharing {Reactions} 💯 [8/27/2026 7:26 PM] fictionshroom @Josi Sofer will {Reactions} 🤣 (2) [8/27/2026 7:27 PM] lammbbb I bite, but you have to get a premium tier for that {Reactions} ❤️ 🤣 [8/27/2026 7:27 PM] starcryst While we wait - we are doing a new thing - if you want to please take some or all of your comments tonight and post them under comments for the story! 🙂 {Reactions} 🔥 (2) 👍 (3) 💯 (2) [8/27/2026 7:27 PM] vesperlrayne_04128 https://klipy.com/gifs/vampire-fangs-female-1 {Embed} https://klipy.com/gifs/vampire-fangs-female-1 Female Vampire Fangs Close-Up https://images-ext-1.discordapp.net/external/5hAmy9O9-wPxw897S9-5HpUtL8lmCjsHDM4PSNCckr8/https/static.klipy.com/ii/d6b0ce929193df3c242ac34b5654d2ce/3b/68/bhZQrkdt.webp {Reactions} 🥵 (2) 🤣 [8/27/2026 7:27 PM] starcryst It's a new premium tier benefit of attending Write Club! {Reactions} 🤣 (4) [8/27/2026 7:27 PM] somedesertrat {Attachments} https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/1536890891879452732/1542677060386824275/Beulah_Sings_Better_Glow.mp4?ex=6ab8fdb8&is=6ab7ac38&hm=21e276aa51205f13328fab140af7484e60b1b29a2e6d6604a26c693f95f5ea8f& {Reactions} 😯 🤯 [8/27/2026 7:28 PM] ladylazarus2235 Hello Hammond! Thank you for sharing; I made sure to restack you and subscribe. I really enjoyed this piece. As a fellow flash writer I know that wrestling with the shape of it in conjunction with the theme can sometimes be a little tricky, and you don’t always end up with the story you thought you would when you’re done, and I really admire how you kept with the theme. The ending was such a gut punch. I’ve experienced friendships like this, where I feel like I’m giving more than I can “afford” (often monetarily, but also in terms of time and emotional investment), for hollow reciprocity that isn’t actually real friendship. The concept is by far the strongest part of this for me, and the execution is very solid craft wise. My critiques are minor and I feel like they’re more a part of drafting flash than true craft flaws. The opening with the necklace feels a little disconnected from the rest. I feel like the story maybe went a different direction after you wrote a strong cold open and you opted to keep it. It kind of feels transactional, but there’s a bit of clashing with the admiration of the necklace from both girls and then the dismissal of the deadbeat dad. I wasn’t sure what register you were committing to. I also occasionally snagged on the dialogue or proposed actions. Brushing each other’s hair proposed as a legitimate social activity felt off to me, let alone a monetized one. I feel like it’s simultaneously a cliche and something girls don’t actually do. But YMMV! I loved that you shared this, and I’m always excited to interact with other flash writers. Flash fiction is a strange and beautiful animal and you have a clear instinct for it. {Reactions} ❤️ (3) 💯 (3) 👍 (3) [8/27/2026 7:28 PM] starcryst Also an announcement - @Lunetois @✨🍄Fiction Shroom🍄✨ and I will be going live at 8pm EST to talk about Write Club! We'd love for you all to join us in chat and share in! {Reactions} 🔥 (7) ❤️ (7) 🍄 (3) 🍻 (2) 🥂 (3) [8/27/2026 7:29 PM] starcryst @Hammond any final words for the room? [8/27/2026 7:29 PM] markdp @David T Etheredge - Inference -- Do you have a link for the Live? [8/27/2026 7:30 PM] hammondjohns Brushing hair: kids probably don't do this anymore. I wanted something intimate where it would be a real violation to charge for it. {Reactions} 👍 (4) [8/27/2026 7:30 PM] starcryst I'll find it. [8/27/2026 7:30 PM] somedesertrat https://open.substack.com/live-stream/334197 {Embed} https://open.substack.com/live-stream/334197 LIVE SOON: What is Write Club anyway? with B.E. Lunetois and Kelley... Starting Aug 27 at 8:00 PM EDT https://images-ext-1.discordapp.net/external/Bt_vJLrHEgkCxvSxEnx9KWpt9EQ5hBSQziliniUj2wE/https/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/%24s_%215jBc%21%2Cf_auto%2Cq_auto%3Abest%2Cfl_progressive%3Asteep/https%253A%252F%252Fsubstack.com%252Flive-stream%252F334197%252Fcard.jpg%253Fversion%253D1 {Reactions} ❤️ (2) [8/27/2026 7:30 PM] meganmarrow_40655 Painting nails would be more age appropriate {Reactions} 👍 (4) [8/27/2026 7:30 PM] meganmarrow_40655 Assuming they are middle school?? [8/27/2026 7:31 PM] starcryst Thank you @Carl Price {Reactions} 👍 (2) [8/27/2026 7:31 PM] hammondjohns Painting nails - great idea - might steal it if I rewrite or develop. Thanks! [8/27/2026 7:31 PM] somedesertrat ya welcome [8/27/2026 7:31 PM] meganmarrow_40655 Or better yet! Use my new fake nail set {Reactions} 👍 (2) [8/27/2026 7:31 PM] meganmarrow_40655 Because it’s all fake {Reactions} 💯 🤣 (2) [8/27/2026 7:31 PM] starcryst Okay that's it for WRITE CLUB tonight. Thank you all for sharing your most important resource - your time! {Reactions} ❤️ [8/27/2026 7:32 PM] hammondjohns Thanks everyone, really appreciate your feedback! {Reactions} ❤️ (2) 👍 [8/27/2026 7:32 PM] starcryst Join us in #write-club-after-party-july-through-sept-2026 for the after party where we will have 2d drink, 3d people and 4d shameless self-promotion. Get liquored up so you can all entertain us in chat during the live! {Reactions} 🔥 ❤️ [8/27/2026 7:32 PM] shikanokoshitantan I’ll join if IT let me go… [8/27/2026 7:33 PM] hammondjohns Cheers everyone! I won't join you for drinks (it's 7.30am here) but I had a blast, thanks so much! {Reactions} ❤️ (4) [8/27/2026 7:33 PM] shikanokoshitantan Would be heaps fun to see yall [8/27/2026 7:33 PM] shikanokoshitantan Nice to meet you Ham! Have fun with WC [8/27/2026 9:00 PM] chet_sandberg Are there any slots left? I’d need weekend to guarantee I can make it, but sometimes I’m home before 5 pm Pacific time [8/27/2026 9:00 PM] chet_sandberg Oops. Wrong thread. Sorry [8/27/2026 9:00 PM] erisindex No worries. [8/27/2026 9:01 PM] chet_sandberg Haha {Reactions} ❤️ [8/27/2026 9:02 PM] xenonsteem Could you make it for Sunday the 6th? You can have my slot. {Reactions} 🔥 ❤️ [8/27/2026 9:11 PM] chet_sandberg You sure? [8/27/2026 9:12 PM] xenonsteem Absolutely! [8/27/2026 9:13 PM] xenonsteem Say the word. I'll let David know. [8/27/2026 9:15 PM] chet_sandberg I’d love to! Just contingent on my wife reassuring me we don’t already have something planned [8/27/2026 9:16 PM] chet_sandberg I can start reading and critiquing now, yah? {Reactions} ❤️ 💯 [8/27/2026 9:17 PM] starcryst Yes! [8/27/2026 9:17 PM] starcryst Every Write Club session ever is in the Channel list [8/27/2026 9:17 PM] xenonsteem You want the DM in Substack to remind you? [8/27/2026 9:17 PM] chet_sandberg Yah, pls {Reactions} 👍 [8/27/2026 9:18 PM] chet_sandberg She’s at a witchy thing [8/27/2026 9:18 PM] starcryst pick one, read the story and then leave comments - but make sure you tag the author so they know they've got new feedback! [8/27/2026 9:18 PM] chet_sandberg (I’m Buddhist, but a bad Buddhist, LOL) [8/27/2026 9:18 PM] starcryst sure! [8/27/2026 9:18 PM] chet_sandberg Tag in discord or in substack? [8/27/2026 9:19 PM] chet_sandberg Is it okay to tell you what I know I need help with? For me, it’s usually that I under-write. [8/27/2026 9:20 PM] erisindex Will you link your Substack profile into the #follow-authors-here channel so we can all find your Substack easily? [8/27/2026 9:25 PM] chet_sandberg If I can figure out how to do that. Just a profile page link? {Reactions} 🔥 ❤️ [8/27/2026 9:31 PM] erisindex Yes, please 🙂 ============================================================== Exported 193 message(s) ==============================================================